The city of Kyoto is known as Japan's cultural and spiritual capital. It's for good reason: Kyoto has hundreds of Buddhist ...

At the Gou Jinja Shinto Shrine, fans of Japanese figures skaters are praying for their victory at the PyeongChang Olympics. In Japan, it is tradition to pray for athletes, “sporting gods”, ahead of ...

Shimane Prefecture — located in the southwest of Japan’s main island near Hiroshima Prefecture — is an off-the-beaten-path ...

Shimane Prefecture draws visitors to Izumo Taisha, a shrine where Shinto deities gather to determine future connections.

Shimane Prefecture draws visitors to Izumo Taisha, a shrine where Shinto deities gather to determine future connections.

Each shrine honors different deities from Japan’s Shinto sect. Visitors often trek between these shrines, taking in the peaceful atmosphere and stunning views. The history of Togakushi Shrine ...

While Spain's headline trail now attracts up to half a million pilgrims a year, its twin is often uncrowded and offers a peaceful route through forests and mountain scenery ...

Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. A shrine parishioner throws icy cold water on himself during the annual cold-endurance festival at Kanda ...

As far as Shinto shrines go (there are about 400 in Kyoto), this one is pretty special. Perched on a wooded hillside in southern Kyoto, Fushimi Inari is a 1,300-year-old temple dedicated to Inari ...

Coral Expeditions has three 14-night Through the Heart of Japan departures in 2025: October 4, October 18 and November 2.

In hotspots like Kyoto you sometimes have to queue for the queues, but escaping the country’s overtourism problem couldn’t be simpler ...